Page 97 of Take Care, Taylor

“No.” She shook her head again. “She made me promise not to say anything to anyone.”

“I don’t want her to hurt anymore, Cecelia.”

“Then walk away and let her get over you like a normal ex-boyfriend,” she said. “She doesn’t love you anymore.”

“She told you she loved me?”

“No.” Her cheeks reddened. “Now go away. I really did promise her I wouldn’t tell you where she was if we ever crossed paths.”

“Then don’t say a word.” I pulled a pen from my pocket. “Write it out for me…”

TRACK 45. YOU ARE IN LOVE (5:27)

AUDREY

Iwasn’t sure whether to accept that my entire childhood was a lie or believe that my parents loved me so much that they couldn’t bear to let me see the truth.

From everything I’d read at this point, the only thing they ever agreed on was me. Their joint fiction was a way of creating an alternate reality whereloveactually meant something—a place where the lessons they preached to everyone else were what they wished they could believe in themselves.

Setting down another one of my dad’s letters, I turned on the coffee maker and checked my text messages.

Cecelia

Stuck in some crazy-ass traffic. Still on my way!

Jordan (Neighbor Down the Street)

Don’t forget you owe me a coffee date today

Shit. I totally forgot.

I didn’t forget! Whimstery Cafe in15?

Jordan

I’ll be there

I unplugged the coffee maker and exchanged my pajamas for jeans and a purple sweatshirt.

My phone flashed a 1 percent charge warning as I started to text Cecelia.

Sighing, I grabbed my charger and left a note on the door for her:

At the coffee café in town for a date with Jordan. Come save me if I’m not back when you see this!

The baristas behind the counter blushed and laughed as I stepped into the café. Following their eyes, I saw Jordan sitting in a corner booth.

His deep green eyes gleamed under the low lights, and from here I could see exactly why he was the center of everyone’s attention.

“You look beautiful as hell today.” He smiled as I approached him.

“Thank you. You too.”

“Caramel latte with cinnamon?” He extended a cup.

“I appreciate it.” I took a long sip. “So, how have you been?”

“I’ve been wondering why you haven’t called me back.”